Welcome

In response to globally recognised ecological concerns, across the South West the Church of England is challenging a destructive culture of ease and wastefulness. The national output of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is fully recognised as causing ecological imbalances, and we are putting alarming pressure on valuable resources such as oil, fresh water and soil. At the same time, inequality is growing, not least within the UK, and poverty continues to be a global scandal. We are denying justice to our neighbours, whether our fellow human beings, future generations, and the rest of creation.

This website aims to provide resources to churches and church members who seek to address these issues. It brings together two strands of action: EcoChurch Southwest, promoting green energy; and Shrinking the Footprint, reducing our ecological footprint. We hope you find it useful.

“The present challenges of environment and economy, of human development and global poverty, can only be faced with extraordinary Christ-liberated courage.”
— The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

The seven dioceses, in partnership with renewable energy supplier Ecotricity, are running a scheme to help churches cut energy use and convert to renewable energy sources.

We believe that developing renewable energy generation will help support the national Church of England’s plan to cut carbon emissions. The scheme will also contribute to the financial security of parishes at a time when energy prices are predicted to rise significantly.

The first phase of the scheme supports churches in fitting solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to the roofs of their buildings, including through offering low-interest loans to fund the installation. We anticipate that we will offering more renewable technologies in the near future.

More about our achievements . . .

Shrinking the Footprint is the Church of England’s national environmental campaign aimed at helping the Church’s 44 dioceses and 16,000 churches reduce their carbon footprint.

Cutting the human effect on climate change is a vital part of our responsibility as Christians. The Church is committed to a carbon reduction target of 80% by 2050, with an interim target of 42% by 2020.

The Dioceses in the South West are encouraging churches and church members to consider our whole ecological footprint and its ramifications, and to take action in the areas of: property and land; transport and travel; procurement and supplies; Christian lifestyle; and theology and worship.

More about our activities . . .

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